Online Gambling Admin Caught Illegally Crossing Border via Boat in Sa Kaeo

Picture courtesy of Kaoded.

Three Thai nationals have been apprehended after attempting to illegally cross the Thai-Cambodian border via boat in Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province. The group included suspected online gambling administrators and a Cambodian man alleged to have been paid to assist with their illegal re-entry into Thailand.

The arrest took place at approximately 14:00 on 10 July, along the Phrom Hot Canal near Ban Mai Khok Sabang in Tha Kham Subdistrict. Acting on intelligence reports, officers from the Burapha Force and the 1304th Ranger Company (under the 13th Ranger Regiment) set up an ambush along the waterway.

A small boat crossing from the Cambodian side was intercepted, and four individuals were detained, three Thai nationals and one Cambodian alleged to be the smuggler.

Among those arrested were Mr. Chaiyachet Tiangsa and Mr. Thitipan Iamnittaya, both of whom admitted to working as administrators for online gambling platforms “UFA Website” and “Slot 888,” based in the Cambodian border town of Poipet. They told authorities they earned monthly salaries of 18,000–20,000 baht and paid the Cambodian man 5,000 baht each to help smuggle them back into Thailand.

A third Thai national, Ms. Angkana Sae Chen, claimed she had crossed into Cambodia only to visit her husband, a Filipino construction worker.

The Cambodian boatman, identified as Mr. Chueng Nut, contradicted the accounts of the Thai suspects, claiming he was paid just 50 baht per person to ferry them across the canal.

All suspects have been handed over to Klong Luek Police Station for legal processing and further investigation. Authorities are now working to expand the inquiry into potential links with larger cross-border online gambling operations.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Kaoded 2025-07-12